Hazard A Guess: Week of April 3, 2008

The mailbag and the e-mail box was overflowing with more correct identification of Item No. 828, which is a universal spanner wrench, used to tighten and remove swivels and nozzles, or couplings, from fire hoses. The belt hook eye let it hang on a firefighter’s coat; a hammer head was equally useful and there’s also an slot that can be used as a gas key, to shut off gas valves.

It can still be found on just about any fire truck you see.

Readers Gary Amstutz of Shreve, Ohio, and Ken Lingle of Smithville, Ohio, should know. They both work at Akron Brass in Wooster — where they make and sell the wrenches to fire departments. Amstutz says they’re made from aluminum today, but are just as strong.